Our world is one that thrives on balance. We enjoy foods that are sweet and foods that are salty. We watch some movies that are funny, others that are serious.
And in our backyards, we mix hardscaping – patios, pathways, stones, rocks and decks — with softscaping: things such as trees, plants, flowers or grass.
Without softscaping, your yard would seem harsh and forbidding, a sterile, uninviting place.
But without hardscaping, it would feel messy and overgrown. As you search for hardscaping supplies in PA, think about choosing these materials to give your property the right balance.
Brick
Brick is a classic hardscape material, used for centuries to build pathways, roads and buildings. Because bricks come in a uniform shape and size, it’s easy to install them in a range of formal and informal patterns. And brick is durable, making it a good choice for colder climates.
Loose material hardscaping
This category includes materials such as gravel, smaller stones, river rock and pea gravel. Loose material is typically cost effective, easy to install, can help prevent erosion, and is easy to maintain, all reasons to keep it in mind as you look for hardscaping supplies in PA.
Concrete
Don’t picture a contractor showing up to pour concrete and then calling it a day. Concrete can be stamped, stained and decorated or embedded with other materials like glass or pebbles.
These elements can not only enhance the look of your hardscaping, they’ll make your concrete less slippery, and therefore safer.
Keep in mind that while you can pour concrete yourself, it’s not a job you want to approach without some experience. If you doubt your abilities on this front, call a professional.
Decking materials
If you’re considering adding a deck to your property, you have a few options when it comes to materials:
- Composite — This is deck material that isn’t made from wood or aluminum, but rather fashioned from wood fiber, plastic and a binding agent. It’s weather and stain-resistant, low-maintenance and won’t splinter, but it can be costly.
- Wood – Hardwood decks have a nice, natural look and feel – and even a pleasant smell – and will fit most budgets. But wooden decks require a lot of maintenance to prevent splitting, cracking and discoloration.
- Pressure-treated woods – These are less durable woods treated with preservatives to prevent rot and insect or weather damage. It’s less expensive than other woods, but you might find its color unnatural, or have to deal with warped or bent boards.
- Plastic – “Plastic lumber” might sound like an oxymoron, but it just refers to decking material made from recycled polyethylene. It’s easy to clean, eco-friendly and weather resistant, but requires more substructure than a wooden deck, and may not give you the wooden look you’re after in a deck.
Flagstone
People searching for hardscaping supplies in PA have an edge over folks in other states, thanks to our native Pennsylvania bluestone, AKA flagstone.
This material is perfect for building patios or walkways and comes in irregular cuts for a more rustic feel, or regular cuts to create a more formal look.
If you’re ready to tackle a new hardscaping project but don’t want to go it alone, contact Woodward Landscape Supply.
In addition to our landscaping skill, we can offer more than 20 years of expertise as a hardscape supplier, whether you need flagstones, pavers and slabs, or decorative gravel. Pay us a visit today, and we’ll get to work on creating a look that strikes the right balance for your home.